January 31, 2012

First up, here are teasers of my submission for the upcoming "Laluzapalooza" show at La Luz de Jesus Gallery. The painting is called "Dappled" and features, yes, another Sphynx cat. I just looove painting them!

Sketch:

Here are some photos of work in progress for my upcoming "Erode" show at WWA Gallery in Culver City (opens Feb 18th!). Most of these things are done now but what the heck...

Here was the "Guarded" drawing transferred, before I painted it. It's pretty big, about 30"x26". I painted it with ink and gouache.

Domes waiting to be filled with little sculptures (time providing.)

The three little paintings transferred to generously-sized paper. Mmmmm, generous margins... I like how lonely they look like this.

And finally (for today) I made this little beetle with frosted-acetate wings and gold-detailed body and luxurious wing casings. I almost don't want to sell him...

Onward! I'll post some pics of the final paintings as well as the new crop of newly-transferred drawings when I get a chance.

If you are interested in any of the pieces that will be for sale in the upcoming WWA Gallery show opening Feb 18th go HERE to add yourself to the preview list. You will get first dibs to view/buy work before the show actually opens!

January 24, 2012

Here are more new sketches for my upcoming show "Erode" which focuses on self sabotage, or things that eat away at us from within.

This sketch "Whisper" is about the cyclical pain of rumors/gossip/negativity.

These three will be separate paintings, very small and detailed. The three dead animals illustrate three major roadblocks that can keep us from realizing our potential. They are titled "Strangle" (lack of voice), "Splinter" (lack of focus), and "Freeze" (lack of action.)

These three are already underway and I'll post teasers soon! I'll have 9-12 drawings/paintings and 3 sculptures in the upcoming show at the WWA Gallery in Culver City and I can't wait to share them with you!

January 18, 2012

At last! I am very pleased to introduce you to the newest member of my mutant-animal-rug family... say hello to "Oscar."

I've been holding off on posting photos of this commission until he was delivered to none other than Otavio of the incredibly talented and renowned Brazilian street-art twins "Os Gêmeos." The brothers are here in Los Angeles for the next couple of months preparing for their upcoming show at Prism Gallery in West Hollywood which opens February 25th. I can't wait!

Without further adieu: "Oscar"

He's got two regular "friendly" eyes and one little gimp-eye on the right side of his face. Also note his grin which I accentuated with dark red velvet... the goal was to make him look friendly but weird, and as requested, he is red/pink.

And here are process shots from sketch to completion:

Materials...

Foamform on left, inside-out "pelt" on right... to show stitching...

The detail on this rug in the stripes and fur patterns was super involved, each stripe took an hour or so to hand-sew in from the back... but the result was definitely worth the effort...

Closer detail to show how small and numerous the stitches were for each stripe...

Finished at last! I hit a road-block when I initially put in the background in pale blue... ugh... what was I thinking? It took me a while to come up with a solution as the white india ink had sealed the paper so I couldn't paint over it in gouache. I laid in the black branches in black india ink today and am much happier with the contrast and the way it pops the colors. Crisis averted!

Here is a shot of my standard painting process- using india ink washes to lay in the tone and then colored washes of gouache on top:

Photos of the finished painting... I just need to sign it:

There are only four framed prints left! If you see something you want, contact me ASAP:

January 15, 2012

Just finished another sketch for my (rapidly) upcoming show at the WWA Gallery in Culver City. This piece will be painted and titled "Guarded." Here are some photos:

A pile of sketches for the show:

And finally an updated image of the framed prints that are still available, the ones with a red bar through them have sold. See previous post for photos of the actual prints to see how they look in their frames! Contact me at jawcooper@gmail.com ASAP if you are interested in purchasing one:

January 14, 2012

Here are the framed prints from the Bluecanvas Launch Event, now available for purchase! There is only one of each so it will be first-come first-served. Prices are as marked but do not include shipping; the ones with a red slash across them are already sold.

January 7, 2012

Super duper busy. Here is are some in-progress shots of a painting which I think I'll title "Small Sacrifices." Appropriate, as I hardly got any sleep last night painting it. I took photos at every step through this piece so I'll post a process image soon to show how I built up the paint from sketch to finish.

Don't forget about the Bluecanvas Launch Event in downtown Los Angeles next Thursday, if you want to pick up a sweeeeet framed print for megacheap. There is only one of each print so first come first served. See previous post for more info.

January 6, 2012

As a featured artist in the upcoming Bluecanvas Magazine (Issue 11) I will be exhibiting a selection of prints at their launch event during art-walk in downtown Los Angeles on the January 12th, 2012 (this coming Thursday!) I will only have one of each print which will be framed, matted, and ready-to-hang in your house. First come first served, so get to the event early if you see something you would like! (address/details below)

Here is an image so you can see the sizes/images that will be available:

Prices:16"x20" : 90$10"x20" : 80$16"x12" : 70$8"x8" : 40$

The 10"x20" frames have multiple prints in them. All prints are priced as low as possible- just enough for me to break even.